Heads up! In October 2025, the Chinese mainland moved into a La Nina state, sparking questions about what this means for the coming winter 🌊❄️
La Nina happens when surface waters in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific cool down. Meteorologists watch the Nino 3.4 index—once it dips below -0.5°C, La Nina conditions are in play!
- La Nina vs. La Nina event: Conditions must hold for five straight months to be called an official event.
- Frequency on the rise: These swings appear every 2-7 years, and global warming may be speeding things up.
We saw a weak La Nina earlier in 2025, and cold subsurface waters have been building up again. Despite this, the National Climate Center forecasts that a 'double La Nina' (back-to-back winters) this season is still unlikely.
So, what does this mean for you? Expect cooler nights and more chances of rain or snow in some regions, but no extreme twin cold waves this winter. Stay cozy and keep an eye on the forecasts! 🌨️
Reference(s):
China enters La Nina state, but 'double La Nina' unlikely this winter
cgtn.com
